Parornix quadripunctella

(Clemens, [1862])

Sort #: 226 | P #: 330141 | MPG #: 681
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Larval feeding type: Forms a tentiform leaf-mine on the underside, then feeds in a leaf edge folded downwards; pupates in a silken cocoon away from the feeding area. The larva has no spots on, or behind the head..
Larval substrate: Unknown, but possibly apple or serviceberry
Phenology: Adult: 8/15 (1 record)

Comment: Represented by var. albifaciella Dietz, 1907. P. quadripunctella was described by Clemens from larvae forming mines and leaf-folds on Serviceberry (larvae 'with four black dots on the head and four on the dorsum of the second segment'). The adults were not reared, therefore no type specimen ever existed. Dietz, who found larvae he believed to be this species on Aronia arbutifolia and apple, reared the adult and described it. He also described a variety he called var. albifaciella, which has a white face and no spots on the larva. This agrees with barcoded specimens from RI. Older specimens with this DNA BIN have been found in MA. So far, all leaf-folding larvae on Serviceberry in Massachusetts have been P. dubitella, so it is possible that the name 'quadripunctella' refers to that species and that 'albifaciella' would be the correct name for this species.

Status in MA (automated assessment): Restricted distribution, rare
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 1952
Last Year Reported: 1952

Distribution by County: Barnstable
Number of Records: 1